In a recent post, "Unified Communications (UC): A Technology Perspective Essential to Staffing Firms," I introduced the case for why this particular perspective on integrated technology should be a very important one for staffing firms. 

To further make the case and further clarify what UC is and what its significance may be, I wanted to cite another reference resource I came across today, a white paper by ShoreTel (a major provider of IP phone systems and UC solutions located in Sunnyvale, CA).  Shoretel describes itself as:  "a provider of business communication solutions whose brilliantly simple unified communications platforms, applications and mobile UC solutions promise a new rhythm of workforce engagement and collaboration."

The white paper, "Demystifying Unified Communications: How IP telephony systems enable businesses to leverage fully the power of UC" (available by free download here), provides an excellent business guide to UC and what it can do for a business.  

Mentioned in the white paper, Gartner's list of what consititutes UC is provides a quick snapshot of what UC conists of and alows one to make a rapid leap to understanding how "Unified" Communications could possibly be importrant for firms in the staffing business:

16 features that comprise a complete UC solution:

1. Rich Presence Telephony
2. Unified Messaging
3. Desktop Client
4. Email
5. Instant Messaging (IM)
6. Audio Conferencing
7. Video Conferencing
8. Web Conferencing
9. Converged Conferencing
10. Notification Service
11. Personal Assistant e Service
13. Communications-Enabled Business Processes
14. Contact Center
15. Mobile Solutions
16. Collaboration  

The white paper Table of Contents gives a very good sense of how the topic is covered. 

If you are a staffing firm executive, working on your technology strategy, I would would definitely recommend reading this white paper as well as my previous blog.  The Shoretel site also provides access to whole up-to-date set of analyst reports focused on UC: http://www.shoretel.com/resource_center/results#/?analyst_research.